Funding Updates

September 24, 2018: MFT Receives $200,000 from 1772 Foundation to Protect York County Farmland

Maine Farmland Trust is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $200,000 in grant funding from the 1772 Foundation to protect two critical pieces of farmland in York County. At its August meeting, the 1772 Foundation, partnering with the Land Trust Alliance, awarded $975,000 in grant funding to nine land trusts, including MFT, for ten projects protecting farmland within the Northeast.

B. Danforth Ely, president of the 1772 Foundation, said, “This year’s grants help land trusts permanently protect over 1,200 acres of land from development, more than 80% of it farmland. The largest tract is close to 300 acres. In most cases, it is buildable land under increasing development pressure.” Ely added, “It is very exciting to visit the sites and hear the farmers’ plans for expanding and improving their operations.”

MFT was excited to welcome representatives from the 1772 Foundation the the Land Trust Alliance to Maine earlier this year to visit these two farms, and is grateful to both organizations for their continued support of MFT’s effort to protect Maine farmland and support farmers!

July 19, 2018: Bangor Savings Bank Awards $5,000 Grant to MFT

Maine Farmland Trust was the recent recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation. These funds will be used to further enhance MFT’s Farming for Wholesale program, as well as launch a Financial Literacy Training series for farmers in Washington County.